Benjamin Sheares
Who was Benjamin Sheares?
Singapore's second President from 1971 to 1981, who was a prominent obstetrician and gynecologist before entering politics. He established Singapore's first fertility clinic and served as president of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Benjamin Sheares (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Benjamin Henry Sheares (12 August 1907 – 12 May 1981) was a Singaporean doctor and academic who served as the second President of Singapore from 1971 until he passed away in 1981. Born in Singapore under British rule, he attended Saint Andrew's Secondary School and then studied medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine, graduating in 1929. He went on to have a prominent medical career, earning recognition as a leading figure in obstetrics and gynaecology in Singapore.
After graduating, Sheares worked at the Singapore General Hospital and Kandang Kerbau Hospital, specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology. He rose through academic ranks at the University of Malaya in Singapore, first serving as acting professor and later becoming a full professor in 1950. This was significant as he was the first local to achieve such a senior post, at a time when these positions were usually given to high-ranking colonial officers. He also started Singapore's first fertility clinic and served as president of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
His major medical achievements include standardizing the lower Caesarean section in Singapore, which is now the country’s norm, and developing a surgical technique for constructing an artificial vagina. This technique, initially helping women with conditions like vaginal agenesis and later used in sex-change surgeries, became known worldwide as the Sheares operation. Sheares retired from academic and public medical work in 1961 because of health problems, moving into private practice.
After the death of Singapore's first President, Yusof Ishak, Parliament elected Sheares as the second President of Singapore. He took office on 2 January 1971. During his presidency, he carried out various ceremonial and constitutional duties, attending events such as the 1971 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Singapore and the 1973 South East Asian Peninsular Games. He served three terms, the only person to do so in Singapore. Sheares died in office on 12 May 1981 and was succeeded by Devan Nair, who took office on 23 October 1981.
Sheares was married to Yeo Seh Geok and was honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath for his contributions to medicine and public service. Places named after him include the Benjamin Sheares Bridge in Singapore and Sheares Hall at the National University of Singapore.
Before Fame
Benjamin Sheares was born on 12 August 1907 in Singapore, which was then under British rule. He went to school at Saint Andrew's Secondary School before attending the King Edward VII College of Medicine, which is now part of the National University of Singapore. He graduated in 1929 and entered the medical field in Singapore, where senior roles were mostly held by British expats.
Sheares chose to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, a significant field in a city with high birth rates and limited specialist care. He rose through the ranks at the University of Malaya in Singapore's medical faculty in the 1940s and 1950s, during a time of big political changes, including the Japanese occupation during World War II and moves towards decolonization. In 1950, he became the first local professor of obstetrics and gynecology, showing both his skill and the slow shift away from reserving top positions for colonial officers.
Key Achievements
- Served as the second President of Singapore for three terms, from 1971 until his death in 1981
- Became the first local medical professional appointed as professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Malaya in Singapore in 1950
- Developed the Sheares operation, a surgical method to create an artificial vagina used in treating vaginal agenesis and in sex-change procedures
- Standardised the lower Caesarean section procedure in Singapore, establishing it as the national medical standard
- Founded Singapore's first fertility clinic and served as president of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Did You Know?
- 01.The surgical technique Sheares developed to construct an artificial vagina is formally known as the Sheares operation and remains in use for treating vaginal agenesis and in gender-affirming surgeries.
- 02.Sheares is the only President of Singapore to have been elected to three consecutive terms, serving continuously from 2 January 1971 until his death on 12 May 1981.
- 03.He was the first locally born and trained medical professional to be appointed professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Malaya in Singapore, breaking a tradition of appointing senior British colonial officers to such roles.
- 04.The Benjamin Sheares Bridge in Singapore, a major expressway bridge crossing the Marina Bay area, was named in his honour after his death.
- 05.Sheares established Singapore's first fertility clinic, a significant development for reproductive medicine in the region at a time when such specialised services were largely unavailable locally.
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath | — | — |